Warning Parents about Outbreak of Rota-Virus in Children – Facts

Story:

Warning all parents with children age 5 and under. There’s a rota-virus outbreak, if your child starts vomiting a watery substance get them to a dr or hospital asap it can be deadly. Please share. Guys this is serious its on the news too. Your broadcast can save a family.

Analysis:

The message warns people about outbreak of a deadly Rota-Virus in Children, suggesting that at the initial symptom of vomiting a watery substance, the child should be taken to a doctor or hospital immediately. The claim is a mixture of hoax and facts.

These health warning messages about a deadly outbreak of rotavirus have been circulating through various means like emails, SMS and social networking sites. The message warns parents of young children about outbreak of the virus, and advises them to take the children to a doctor or hospital as and when they show symptoms of vomiting a watery substance. Firstly, there are no credible reports about the outbreak of rotavirus, and then the origin of these messages is not clear. It appears like these warnings are the aftermath of Durban’s probe into the recent diarrhoea outbreak there, which was investigating whether it was caused by the rotavirus or something else. However, this was not confirmed.

As reported by iOL news on 10 July 2013, 30 babies in Durban had died in the past two months, because of this diarrhoea outbreak. In eThekwini municipality of Durban, 55 percent of diarrhoea cases were studied to be caused by rotavirus. So the above warning applies to the people in Durban – as a safety measure. However, vomiting is not the only symptom of rotavirus infection in children, it usually starts with fever and vomiting, followed by 3-8 days of watery diarrhea. Occasionally, rotavirus infection can also cause abdominal pain.

About Rotavirus

According to Mayo Clinic, rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children worldwide. It spreads through contact, and although unpleasant, most of them can be treated at home with extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Occasionally, in case of severe dehydration, the child requires intravenous fluids in the hospital. Parents should note that dehydration is a serious complication of rotavirus infection and it is in fact a major cause of childhood deaths in developing countries.

You need to call your child’s doctor if your child:

Has severe or bloody diarrhea.

Has frequent episodes of vomiting for more than three hours.

Has a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher.

Seems lethargic, irritable or in pain.

Has signs or symptoms of dehydration — dry mouth, crying without tears, little or no urination, unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness.

Vaccination can help to prevent rotavirus infection in your infant to a certain extent. Although less severe, rotavirus infection can also occur in older children and adults. The best way to prevent it is by maintaining good hygiene and washing hands frequently.